Oracle For Trying To Quit Drinking

[Boots1323]

I've decided to quit drinking. It's something that has plagued me for most of my life. I decided to consult the I Ching for some insight. I got hexagram 18 with lines 1,3,4 and 6 changing into hexagram 54.
I found it interesting that the lines referred to "what has been spoiled by the father." My father was an alcoholic and so were all the males on his side of the family and so was my mother. From my interpretation, this is something that I have to do. Yet I don't quite understand completely the lines, especially the 6th line and the resulting hexagram 54. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sooo]

Hi, Boots. You share the name of my old black, six-toed cat.

Congratulations firstly on your commitment.

I think you've figured your 18 w/lines out well enough. I'd see the top line as saying that you don't have to follow in your family's footsteps, which you've already so much as said.

There's a number of takes on 54. Mine is that this current way of living just isn't you, and also that you probably won't feel like yourself while going dry, but to keep your eye on the light of eternity, who you really are, not who you have been in the past.

Wishing you success and a great new life. :bows:

 

[blue_angel]

Hi! I second that! Congratulations!

I love sooo's interpretation, he is a bit more wise than I

I would like to share my own, as I hope to give you encouragement and support. 54- you may need assistance with this 18- repair work. I also see 54 as holding to your inner will. Being cautious of situations, having to plan ahead. For 18, repairing and the lines, this wont be easy, you may uncover some painful memories. However, this work is all necessary for your best you. Line 6- you can succeed, and so you shall. You are determined, compassionate, and taking responsibility for yourself. You may have to let go of some people or distance yourself, but all will be
well.

Best wishes to you on your journey!!! May you be blessed!

Blue_Angel

 

[goddessliss]

Hi Boots - things I experienced when I made a hug change in my life - your old 'friends' will try to belittle you in so many ways as they want you to stay the same so they feel comfortable with you - but it's not your issue it's theirs. Your true friends will love you whatever you do with your life. And family patterning - holy hell that's the main difficulty in it's self. It's not about the consumption of alcohol it's why and getting to the bottom of that is the key. Maybe you already know this but anyway good luck - Liss

 

[marcelomac]

Is a very good thing you have done this reflection about you and your life; you passed a revision period and toss the coins, get an hexagram and ask for help in this forum. This is a process that shouldn’t stop. Well done!
The issue is the alcohol is something tha in it’s place is ok but out of it is a headache and problems.

The good thing is that this has solution and is to do something that wasn’t done befote, but not only that; there is something special that make this journey more interesting .. –once solve this issue invites you to enter in the inner World, the Tao, you are here "to create human values for the future"- WoW! (RW). That is a possibility but .. Wont you fight for something like that?

So, good luck in your jurney. Don’t forget ask for help any time, inside and outside.

Best Wishes

 

[svenrus]

Around ten to fifteen years ago I decided to wait with the first drink until twelve o'clock.It still works and I find it easy to wait longer with the first drink of the day.
But one could also do it a milder way by lookin at the watch and wait let's say one minute before drinking the first, two minute the next and so on.....
It's important not to stop totally from one moment to the next. I know some who got ill by doing so.

 

[mirian]

Dear boots1323,

I have very often found that Hex 18 is related to issues/problems passed through generations, repeated old patterns of behaviour, physical or emotional conditions inherited from family. And the main point is that things can -and should be- repaired, improved, we don't need to suffer throughout life or carry on passing onto the new generations. All lines address aspects of this "repair work". Some ideas about your own reading:
18.1 - You are in a very good position to "brake" this pattern and free yourself.
18.3 - It is an old issue, so things will not be solved overnight. Expect some setbacks, arguments with family members, even your own conflict and frustration when working to put this right.
18.6 - There will be moments of isolation, you are distancing yourself from family and friends as your life style changes. But you have your own goal, your decision is for good, so carry on.

I see Hex 54 as you in this quite uncomfortable position, you don't feel particularly powerful to face all those changes, you are still not in control of your own life. But this is just the background, it is not a prediction or anything.

All in all, your reading shows that you have all the conditions to "repair" the situation. So, off you go

 

[bradford]

Just in case you or someone else might find it useful:
http://www.hermetica.info/Buddha1b.htm

I would second Bruce's comment "that you don't have to follow in your family's footsteps, which you've already so much as said." But this includes being the very idea of being a victim of your circumstances. That's a trap.

Also, there's a big discrepancy between the thread title "Oracle For Trying To Quit Drinking" and your opening statement "I've decided to quit drinking."

 

[goddessliss]

Boots are you going to respond at all to any of these people offering their help - just wonderin' - Liss

 

[moss elk]

I have an uncle who drinks whiskey every day.
he has been homeless for 30 years, sleeping under a bridge.
his health is very poor, he looks like a walking corpse.
Once he said the most foolish thing ive ever heard anyone say:
"God made me a drunk"
Yet it is his choice of action that makes his life as it is.
Yoda said what Bradford did in his last sentence.
"Do or do not, there is no try"
The only thing in life we Can control is ourselves, and our steps,
Which determine our path and our character and to some extent our fate.

 

[Boots1323]

My apologies for not responding quickly, I've been busy at work.

First off, I'd like to thank all those who've encouraged me on my decision. Your words were much appreciated and helpful. As for the wording of the title of my post and it's content, I guess I was simply acknowledging the difficulty the task represents for me. Quitting drinking isn't easy and I know I might stumble. But I know I've got to do this, no matter how much it becomes difficult.

Secondly, I find it difficult because I'm alone to do it. I have no family nor friends for support. But I'm used to fighting my battles alone and this just another one of them.

Marcelomac: What translation are you using of the Yi? When you wrote you are here "to create human values for the future" I was intrigued. Perhaps I missed that part. I'm using the Wilhelm/Baynes translation.

Svenrus: I've begun tapering. From my discussion with a rehab counselor, cold turkey doesn't seem like a good idea.

 

[svenrus]

Quote: "Yet I don't quite understand completely the lines, especially the 6th line and the resulting hexagram 54. Any help would be appreciated" (#1) That was Your quistion, I nearly had this overseen.

Besides the hints given to You in this thread, Alfred Huang, In my opinion, also has deep explanations to help understanding this.

Alfred Huang, The complete I Ching, Inner traditions 1998

Online pdf edition: http://www.labirintoermetico.com/09IChing/Huang_A_The_complete_I_Ching.pdf

 

[ginnie]

Perhaps joining AA would help you, as that organization has a proven track record of helping people overcome their alcohol problems.

 

[marcelomac]

I use the same translation (penguin books), page 78.

"(…) Such withdrawal is justified only when we strive to realize in ourselves the higher aims of mankind. For although the sage remains distant from the turmoil of daily life, he creates incomparable human values for the future."

 

[ginnie]

With line 6 moving in hexagram 18, we are doing what we have to do to take care of our own affairs.

For that reason, I think it would be good if you joined AA, as many people have found that organization's help invaluable as they went through the process of quitting drinking. Perhaps you don't have to do it all alone. I joined Nicotine Anonymous when I needed help quitting smoking and they really helped me.